A £2.43 million investment to upgrade the pier at Tory Island is to be announced by the Government today. This is one of several new developments which should improve both the quality of life and employment prospects on the island.
"One can't overemphasise the importance of a pier on an island. It would be even more important than motorways or the DART is to Dublin, because we completely depend on it," said Mr Pol O Mongain, the manager of Comharchumann Thorai (Tory Co-operative).
Work on the pier has already begun but this additional funding will allow for further improvements over the next two years.
The Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Mr Eamon O Cuiv, said a total of £7 million had now been allocated to upgrade the pier, which is to be widened and extended.
The poor condition of the pier has caused major problems, particularly in bad weather when boats have often been unable to land. The ferry service to the island is sometimes cancelled.
About 170 people live on the island, with 30 children attending its two-teacher primary school. Seventeen second-level pupils go to school on the mainland and can usually return only once every four of five weeks to see their families.
Mr O Mongain said the improvements to the pier would make it possible for the children to go home more often, especially during the winter. O Mongain said.
Mr O Cuiv said his Department was also committed to providing an airstrip on Tory, and that this would enable children going to school on the mainland to come home every weekend.
A helicopter service, financially supported by Udaras na Gaeltachta, operates every fortnight during the winter months, but this is a great deal more expensive than using a small plane.
Mr O Cuiv said three other islands - Turk, Bofin and Clare - would also be getting airstrips.
While improved access would aid economic development on the island, it is also recognised that other measures will have to be taken to provide employment. O Mongain said very few of the islanders worked in fishing, and farming was also practically impossible. Unemployment is very high and training opportunities have been limited.
"This is one of the biggest problems for people here - they are faced with the choice of personal development or a job, or staying in the place where they were reared. It is not a choice they should have to make," Mr O Mongain said. It is now hoped that computer training will be provided within the next year, when work on a new community centre is finished. Comharchumann Thorai is in discussions with FAS to have people trained as IT instructors.
Mr O Cuiv said new technology meant it was possible for some kinds of businesses, such as call centres or translation services, to set up on offshore islands. His Department was working with Udaras na Gaeltachta to get such an enterprise established.
Comharchumann Thorai is hoping the computer classes will be the first step towards setting up a teleworking industry.
The new community centre includes several classrooms and islanders believe that a secondary school could also be based there in the future. An application has already been lodged with Government.
The population of the island has increased from 120 in 1991 to 170, but children having to leave the island from the age of 12 has a huge effect on the community. Mr O Mongain said that the use of new technology would also make it easier to provide second-level education. The argument that there were not sufficient numbers could not be justified.
Mr O Cuiv said his Department wanted to develop a "rounded, vibrant economy" and was also looking at ways to develop fishing and tourism on Tory. A 14-bedroom hotel has opened in recent years.
The Minister said that as a Gaeltacht island, Tory's cultural heritage had to be supported.
"There is a long-term commitment to the island community, and to a vibrant community with a future. But to have a future, you must have the most modern facilities and we are determined to do that."
Funding of £600,000 has also been approved by the Department, with a matching amount from the ESB, to provide electricity to eight western offshore islands.
A book of stories and songs from Tory Island has been republished in paperback. Stories from Tory Island, which was first published in 1989, gives a unique insight into the island through the words of some of the older inhabitants.
It was written by Dorothy Harrison Therman, an American who has been visiting the island over many years, and is published by Town House and Country House publishers at IR£8.99. (Information from 01 4972399).